Arnett isn't stretching himself here, but he's still funny as a man who can't comprehend why he can't buy the love of his life. Russell brings a fervor to the role of a woman who has yet to come across a tree she wouldn't want to hug.

Running Wilde never reaches the same level of genius [as "Arrested Development"], but maybe that's because we have Puddle narrating the action, not Ron Howard. You can't re-create the magic--but I like that they're trying.

The show would be better if it got a little closer to the ground, but Wilde, with unusually beautiful production values (for a sitcom), completes a one-hour, laugh track-free, absurdist block that gives Fox its best chance at comedy success since The Bernie Mac Show and Malcolm in the Middle.

Running Wilde demonstrates a distinct lack of its predecessor's lightning speed and intense saturation of jokes. This may be a structural issue: Running Wilde doesn't offer an intricate ensemble cast, but only the usual sit-commy supporting array, a wacky neighbor and a couple of crazy servants.

Wilde is a fast-paced grab bag; it's hard not to like a character who dunderheadedly imports an Amazon tribe to a five-star hotel rather than tell his dad not to drill on their land, all to prove he's a decent guy. But for now, audiences will have to sort through the good stuff and toss aside the lumps of coal that keep "Wilde" from being a truly wild ride.

Arnett imbues him with the same amusingly creepy patina that works well for him on Arrested and 30 Rock but works against him here. Unfortunately, Russell fares little better. She's never looked lovelier, but the writers made the character too self-righteous to be attractive.

Whatever hopes "Arrested Development" fans may have held for a new Will Arnett series begin to dissipate by Episode 2--even with another "Development" funnyman, David Cross, on board as Emily's annoying eco-terrorist boyfriend. This tiny horsey has no giddyap, but there's still a chuckle or two.

Running Wilde exerts so much energy setting up the jokes that they end up forced. Arnett breaks off a couple of great one-liners, but Running Wilde has a lot of work to do in order to even be a good sitcom, much less a Hall of Famer like Arrested.

When Steve and Emmy reconnect in the mansion where they grew up, sparks are meant to fly. But the chemistry is lacking, maybe because the creators are too busy loading up so many elements of the bizarre around them.

The original pilot had funny moments, but also some pacing problems and dead spots-which the final version, unfortunately, if anything made worse. And a second episode that Fox just sent out is no more encouraging.

What Fox programmers failed to notice was that their new show was peopled entirely with unpleasant characters working from a 100-percent laugh-free script. Watching Running Wilde, you can actually feel your eyes and ears disconnecting as they go off in search of some way to amuse themselves.

Good comedies take a lot of work, but that strain shouldn't show up on the screen. It pains me to say that, despite all the obvious effort, I can't see how Running Wilde could get significantly better.

Yes, this episode is not the cumulative greatness that was all 3 seasons of arrested development. No, this episode was not the funniest,Yes, this episode is not the cumulative greatness that was all 3 seasons of arrested development. No, this episode was not the funniest, cleverest written episode of arrested development. This was Running Wilde, and although it falls short of Arrested Developments epic crescendo of humor, layered with layers and layers of expertly written dialogue, it is still seething with potential. To me it seems like the creators and participants of Running Wilde had 21 minutes to outdo arrested development or be considered a failure and by judging by the reviews from reality show loving critics and users, they consider it to be a failure. Put aside your thoughts and preconceptions and just accept what your watching and be prepared to look deep into the humor and not just take it for face value. A top notch pilot segueing into what I hope to be a long-running, much appreciated show and not another much missed show like Arrested Development.…Full Review »

What could have been a quasi-spinoff of Arrested Development, is in actuality a comedy that is low on the laughs, and thought for that matter.What could have been a quasi-spinoff of Arrested Development, is in actuality a comedy that is low on the laughs, and thought for that matter. Running Wilde seems incoherent and unbelievable. While reality and a great plot is not necessarily necessary for a television comedy, its laughs certainly do not make up for its huge flaws. Additionally, the choice of telling the story in a child's point of view is certainly a big mistake on the writer's behalf. This could have brought an innocent look into adult life in a humorous way, but it is not. It just seems silly and pretentious.Overall, Running Wilde is a bust, and Will Arnett is better off channeling his better days on Arrested Development.…Full Review »

This, slightly less absurd and more attuned to the mainstream tastes, sitcom style reworking of "Arrested Development" humour promises to beThis, slightly less absurd and more attuned to the mainstream tastes, sitcom style reworking of "Arrested Development" humour promises to be hilarious when we get know the characters a little better.…Full Review »